Shoe box appeal benefit from twins’ 80th party

WHEN twins, Betty Tallon and Kevin Geraghty, celebrated their 80th birthday, they decided to make Christmas special for children in need.

Betty Tallon, nee Geraghty, (Slane) and Kevin (Collon) heard about the annual Shoebox appeal and Kevin said it reminded him of when they were young and the little presents they would receive for Christmas.

So, Kevin and Betty asked their families to donate to the Shoebox appeal instead of buying presents for them.

They arrived at the Slieve Russell Hotel and the families brought along all the boxes, which are now being prepared for distribution in the next few weeks.

Team Hope organise the Shoebox appeal each year. The boxes are packed with items such as a pen, pencil, copy book, paper, toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, a hat, scarf, gloves, etc.

Volunteers all across Ireland work hard to check that every Christmas Shoebox gift meets with customs and safety requirements, they seal them and send them on their way by truck or shipping container.

The boxes are bound for hospitals, schools, shelters, churches, orphanages, community centres, mountain villages and family homes in various parts of the world.